Free The Squire's Quest by Gerald Morris Page A

king said, "have you wondered what will happen to England when I'm dead?" Terence nodded. Everyone had wondered. "And what do you foresee?" Arthur continued.
    Terence answered frankly. "War. I think that nobles who ve been lying low during the peace will try to grab what they can when there's no one on the throne."
    The king nodded. "That's what I see, too. And doesn't it seem to you that a true king ought to care as much for the next generation as he does for his own? But what can I do to prevent such a war? I should be preparing my successor for the evil times to come, but Guinevere and I have no children."
    "Couldn't you just choose one of your knights to succeed you?" Terence asked.
    "Who?" the king answered. "Who would you choose? It should be someone who's young enough to rule for more than a few years—so not Kai or Bedi-vere. But it should also be someone with the wisdom and experience to rule well. Can you think of one of the young knights you would choose as king?"
    Terence pondered this. He knew of several honorable and trustworthy young knights but could think of none who could step into Arthur's shoes. He shook his head. "But Mordred? You ve only known him a few weeks. Surely you haven't chosen him!"
    "I have chosen to test him," Arthur replied, "to see if he shows promise. And so far, I think you'll agree, he's exceeded expectations. At least he isn't a hothead who'll rush into war. And there's one more thing. Whoever follows me must be someone the country will accept as king, and Mordred
is
my son. One day, when I die if not before, I will make that known. I may have to hide that truth now, for Guinevere's sake, but I won't take it with me to the grave."
    Terence chose his words carefully. "But what if Mordred isn't a man of honor, O king?"
    "He still must know who his father is. I have no right to hide that from him forever. And then what? Once he's known to be my son, the die will be cast. Whoever I choose as my successor, some will declare Mordred king, simply because of his birth. If I don't choose Mordred, I'll be guaranteeing a civil war."
    None of this had occurred to Terence before, but he saw that the king was right. As soon as Mordred's birth was known to all, then most would accept his right to the throne without question. Then he frowned. "But, sire, his birth is not legitimate."
    "Neither is mine," Arthur replied calmly. "Remember? I'm the bastard son of King Uther Pendragon and Igraine of Cornwall."
    Terence nodded. The king's arguments were irrefutable. "But why give Mordred so much responsibility so quickly? Surely there is time to—"
    "One never knows how much time one has, Terence," Arthur replied calmly. "I may die sooner than expected." Terence looked sharply at the king's face. Arthur smiled. "Nay, don't look like that, old friend. I have no reason to think that my time is nearing. Call it a feeling."
    With this Terence had to be satisfied. "All the same, my liege, I beg you: let me stay at Camelot while you are gone."
    Arthur shook his head. "No, Terence. I'm not the only one who is aware that you re watching Mordred: Mordred knows. He probably thinks you're doing so at
my command. But this time I want him to feel entirely trusted. Will you obey me in this, Terence?"
    Dropping to one knee, Terence bowed his head. "I would throw myself from this tower at your command, my king. Yes, I will obey."
    King Arthur shook his head. "Don't be an ass, Terence. If I ever command you to throw yourself from a tower, have me locked up, will you?"

    If it weren't for his gnawing anxiety about Mordred, Terence would have enjoyed the time in Brittany. At any rate, everyone else in the British party did. King Arthur and Kai spent every morning with the Breton governor, going over laws and accounts, but even they set business aside at noon. And, for the rest ofthe delegation, the visit was a time of uninterrupted pleasure. There were games and hawking parties and hunts and banquets and picnics and, of